IndyMedia - Vrij Media Centrum Nederland

Waar: bollox, Eerste Schinkel­straat 14-16 , amsterdam, Netherlands
Wanneer: 18/03/2013 - 20:00

Solidarity with the Silent Ones: Anarchist Action & State Repression in Seattle (USA)

In late July of 2012, anarchists in Portland (Oregon), Seattle and Olympia (Washington) were subpoenaed to testify for a Grand Jury. Since then more anarchists have either been served or have avoided being served meaning they are not legally bound to appear, and have chosen to lay low for the duration of the grand jury. In conjunction with the wave of subpoenas, the FBI and Joint Terrorism Task Force has also raided three known anarchist houses in Portland.

While the reason for and testimony from grand juries are not public, the purpose of this Grand Jury has been stated to be an investigation of what occurred in downtown Seattle on May Day 2012. The media reports anywhere from 150,000-300,000 dollars worth of damage occurred on that day, so clearly the state is looking for anyone they can punish for these actions. But punishment is not the only reason for this witch-hunt, it is clear the State also wishes to use fear to silence anarchist struggles. We believe that this repression is not just about May Day but also about the resurgence of anarchist activity in Seattle and the NW that began to show its face around 2010 and 2011. These networks, affinities, and actions are what the State really fears and is trying to smash rather than just the material vandalism of the May Day “riot”.

On monday 18th of March, in the bollox, at 20:00, two comrades from Seattle will be talking about the current repression surrounding the Grand Jury while also detailing the history of the anti-police movement in Seattle and the anarchist involvement in Occupy Seattle and how this correlates with the present situation.